Clasp for a container, such as a bag or a leather article

ABSTRACT

A clasp for a container includes an anchoring portion fixed to a flap or wall of the container. A wide portion prevents the clasp from moving apart from a buttonhole. An intermediate connection portion rotatably connects through hinges to the anchoring portion and the wide portion. The wide portion and the anchoring portion are configured to rotate relative to the intermediate portion, so that the clasp assumes: a compact condition, in which the wide portion and the anchoring portion are close and on opposite sides relative to the intermediate connection portion; an extended condition, in which the wide portion is aligned relative to the intermediate connection portion, allowing the clasp to move through the buttonhole; a closing condition, in which the wide portion and the anchoring portion are spaced apart, the wide portion being transverse to the intermediate connection portion, preventing the clasp from moving out of the buttonhole.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a clasp for a container, such as a bagor a leather article.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

Different types of clasps are known, which are designed to cause twoflaps or walls belonging to a container, such as a bag or a leatherarticle, to be kept close to one another or to overlap.

For example, there are clasps that can be fixed to one of said flaps orwalls and are designed to be introduced, with a portion of theirs, intoa buttonhole provided on the other one of said flaps or walls, so as toallow the aforesaid flaps or walls to be closed, or anyway to get closerto one another.

A clasp of the type described above is disclosed, for example, in patentEP 0 821 894.

However, the clasps known from the prior art are affected by differentdrawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a clasp, which is ableto solve the drawbacks of the prior art and which, at the same time, canbe produced in a simple and economic fashion.

In particular, one of the technical problems solved by the presentinvention is that of providing a clasp that is reliable, easy to be usedand not too large.

According to the present invention, this and other problems are solvedby means of a clasp having the features set forth in the appendedindependent claim.

The appended claims are an integral part of the technical teachesprovided in the following detailed description concerning the presentinvention. In particular, the appended dependent claims define somepreferred embodiments of the present invention and describe optionaltechnical features.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be bestunderstood upon perusal of the following detailed description, which isprovided by way of example and is not limiting, with reference, inparticular, to the accompanying drawings, which are briefly describedbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clasp according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 2a-2c are side views showing a sequence of operating conditionsthat can be assumed by the clasp shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a clasp according to a furtherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a container, such as a bag, comprising apair of clasps shown in FIGS. 1, 2 a-2 c.

FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c are schematic views, in a side section, of the bagshown in FIG. 4, wherein you can see a sequence of operating conditionsthat can be assumed by the clasp and the bag.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a bag comprising a clasp of thetype shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the bag shown in FIG. 6, hereinrepresented in another operating condition.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a variant of the bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference, in particular, to FIGS. 1, 2 a-c, number 1 indicates, asa whole, a clasp (or closing device) for a container, manufacturedaccording to an explanatory embodiment of the present invention.

According to the figures shown in the drawings by way of example, thecontainer is a bag or a leather article. However, this aspect should notbe considered as limiting for the scope of protection assigned to thepresent invention, since the principle of the present invention can bealso applied to other items capable of containing objects or articles.

Clasp 1 comprises an anchoring portion 10, which for being fixed to aflap or a wall of the container. Furthermore, clasp 1 comprises a wideportion, such as, by mere way of example, a plaque 12, which is designedto prevent clasp 1 from moving apart from a buttonhole provided onanother flap or wall of the container. Furthermore, clasp 1 comprises anintermediate connection portion, such as, by mere way of example, a rod14, which is connected in a rotary manner, to anchoring portion 10through a first hinge 21 and, respectively, to plaque 12 through asecond hinge 12.

As you can see in FIGS. 2a-2c , anchoring portion 10 and plaque 12 areconfigured to be rotated, by a user, relative to rod 14, thus movingclasp 1 among a plurality of different operating conditions.

In particular, clasp 1 can assume:

a compact condition (FIG. 2a ), in which plaque 12 and anchoring portion10 are close to one another and are juxtaposed on opposite sidesrelative to rod 14;

an extended condition (FIG. 2b ), in which plaque 12 is substantiallyaligned relative to rod 14, thus allowing clasp 1 to move towards thebuttonhole;

a closing condition (FIG. 2c ), in which anchoring portion 10 and plaque12 are arranged at a distance form one another, namely plaque 12 isarranged in a direction that is substantially transverse to rod 14, thuspreventing clasp 1 from moving out of the buttonhole.

Therefore, plaque 12 conveniently is a plate-shaped or mainlytwo-dimensional element.

At least one of said hinges 21, 22 is a flat hinge that creates a hingeconstraint in which the connected parts can rotate around the hingingaxis.

Preferably, hinges 21, 22 are both flat hinges.

With reference to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the hingingaxes of said flat hinges 21, 22 are parallel to one another.Alternatively, the hinging axes of said flat hinges 21, 22 can also notbe parallel to one another, for example they can be skew.

According to a further embodiment of the invention (not shown), at leastone of the hinges is a spherical hinge. The term “spherical hinge”indicates a hinge constraint in which the connected parts are able torotate in the space around a point in a three-dimensional manner.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, anchoring portion 10 comprises amainly two-dimensional plate 16. In particular, plate 16 has a crosssection that is substantially similar to the one of plaque 12.

Preferably, as you can see only in FIG. 1 for simplicity reasons, plate16 is associated with a plurality of sheets 18, which are connected toone another so as to form a polygonal structure. Plate 10 and sheets 18form an opening 19, which is useful to constrain device 1 to theclothing accessory.

In the embodiment shown, the first hinge 21 is arranged at an axial endof rod 14.

In the embodiment shown, the second hinge 22 is arranged at an(-other)axial end of rod 14.

Preferably, the first hinge 21 is arranged in a middle or centralportion of the anchoring portion, for example of plate 16. Inparticular, in the closing condition, plate 16 transversely extends onopposite sides relative to rod 14.

Preferably, hinge 22 is arranged in a middle or central portion of thewide portion, for example of plaque 12. In particular, in the closingcondition, plaque 12 transversely extends on opposite sides relative torod 14.

With reference to FIGS. 2a-c , hereinafter you will find a descriptionof the operation of device 1.

In FIG. 2a , clasp 1 is in the compact or rest condition, in which plate12 is at a minimum distance from anchoring portion 10. Plaque 12 andplate 16 are parallel to one another and are also parallel to rod 14.This arrangement allows the device to be compact, when it is not engagedwith the buttonhole provided on a flap or wall of the bag.

As you can see in the drawings, the intermediate connection portionpreferably is a rod 14 or, anyway, it develops longitudinally, inparticular in a straight fashion.

By rotating rod 14 relative to anchoring portion 10 (in the example by90°), clasp 1 reaches the extended or insertion condition, shown in FIG.2b , in which plaque 12 and connection element 14 are parallel to oneanother. In this position clasp 1 can easily be introduced into/removedfrom the buttonhole provided on the bag.

After plaque 12—and part of rod 14—have been inserted through thebuttonhole, the user rotates plaque 12 relative to rod 14 (in theexample by 90°), thus causing the device to reach the closing positionshown in FIG. 2c . In this position, plaque 12 is rotated relative torod (in the example they are substantially perpendicular), so as toprevent clasp 1 from moving apart from the buttonhole provided on thebag.

Preferably, at least one flat hinge 21 and/or 22 has a cam profile, forkeeping a predefined mutual angular position between rod 14 and at leastone between anchoring portion 10 and plaque 12, respectively. The cam isconfigured so as to provide a greater resistance to rotation aroundhinge 21, 22 when the elements connected by said hinge are in apredefined mutual angular position, so that these elements can be keptin the predefined position more firmly. Furthermore, the cam can also bemade so as to offer a greater resistance in different mutual angularpositions of the connected elements.

If the cam profile is obtained on the first hinge 21, the connectedelements are rod 14 and anchoring portion 10. On the other hand, if thecam profile is obtained on the second hinge 22, the connected elementsare rod 14 and plaque 12.

Conveniently, both hinges 21, 22 have a cam profile. Preferably, the camprofiles of hinges 21, 22 are manufactured so as to more firmly keepclasp 1 in the three operating conditions shown in FIGS. 2a -c.

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of clasp 1, wherein the same numericalreferences correspond to elements and components that are similar to theones described in relation to the embodiment shown in the previousfigures; for these elements and components reference is made to thedescription above.

In this embodiment, clasp 1 comprises a further wide portion, such as,by mere way of example, a further plaque 32, which is arranged on theopposite side relative to the wide portion described above. Therefore,the further plaque 32 is designed to prevent the device from movingapart from another buttonhole provided on the container. Furthermore,clasp 1 comprises a further intermediate connection portion, such as, bymere way of example, a further rod 34, which is hinged to anchoringportion 10 through a third hinge 23 and, respectively, to anchoringportion 10 through a fourth hinge 24.

Anchoring portion 10, the second plaque 32 and the second rod 34 canmove to the same operating conditions (but on the opposite side)described above for anchoring portion 10, plaque 12 and rod 14.

Preferably, through not necessarily, the elements arranged on theopposite sides of anchoring portion 10 have the same features as well asthe same shape; in the way, therefore, the device is substantiallysymmetrical relative to anchoring portion 10.

Preferably, hinges 23 and 24 are flat. More preferably, all the hinges21, 22, 23, 24 are flat hinges. With particular reference, inparticular, to FIG. 3, all the rotation axes of the flat hinges 21, 22,23, 24 are mutually parallel.

Therefore, this second embodiment of clasp 1 turns out to be useful, inparticular, when there is the need to move three adjacent flaps of wallsof the bag close to one another. More in detail, when anchoring portion10 is fixed to the central flap or wall, each one of plaques 12 and 32can cross a respective buttonhole obtained on the flaps or wallsarranged on opposite sides relative to the central flap or wall. In thisway, sole clasp 1 can ensure a double closing on two opposite sides,thus bringing pairs of flaps or walls closer.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a container, such as a bag 40. As we willexplain more in detail below, bag 40 comprises a pair of claspsmanufactured according to FIGS. 1 and 2 a-c.

In this example, bag 40 has a rear flap or wall 42, a central flap orwall 44 (also called “partition”), and a front flap or wall 50. Inparticular, the rear flap or wall 42 and the front flap or wall 50 arejoined at the bottom by a bottom of the bag and on the sides by a pairof side walls (these details are not numbered in the drawings).Furthermore, there is also provided a handle 56, which, in the exampleshown, is fixed to central flap or wall 44.

Preferably, central flap or wall 44 divides the inside of bag 40 intotwo compartments, which are separate from one another and delimited, onone side, by rear flap or wall 42 and, on the other side, by front flapor wall 50.

In particular, bag 40 is provided with one clasp 1 r, which isassociated with rear flap or wall 42 of bag 40, and a further clasp 1 s,which, in turn, is associated with central flap or wall 44 (also calledseparator or “partition”). Clasp 1 r is suited to engage the firstbuttonhole 46 provided on central flap or wall 44; whereas clasp 1 s, onthe other hand, is suited to engage a second buttonhole 48 obtained onfront wall or flap 50.

In other words, with particular reference to the example shown, bag 40comprises:

a pair of end flaps or walls (42, 50);

an intermediate flap (44);

a first clasp (1 r) according to any of the claims from 1 to 5, whereinsaid anchoring portion (10) is fixed to an end flap or wall (42) andsaid wide portion (12) faces said intermediate flap (44) so as to movethrough a hole (46) provided on said intermediate flap (44); and

a second clasp (is) according to any of the claims from 1 to 5, whereinsaid anchoring portion (10) is fixed to said intermediate flap (44) andsaid wide portion (12) faces the other end flap or wall (50) so as tomove through a hole (48) provided on the other end flap or wall (50).

FIG. 5a shows a side section of bag 40 shown in FIG. 4. In this figure,clasps 1 r and is are in the respective compact or rest condition.Therefore, the two compartments defined on the side of the central flapor wall 44 are open and can accessed by a user, who, as a consequence,can introduce objects into bag 40 or pull them out of it.

FIG. 5b shows a side section of bag 40 shown in FIG. 4. In this figure,clasps 1 r and is are in the extended or insertion condition and,therefore, they are ready to be inserted into the respective buttonholes46, 48.

FIG. 5c shows a side section of bag 40 shown in FIG. 4, wherein clasps 1r and is are in the closing condition, after the respective plaques 12and rods 14 have been inserted into the respective buttonholes 46, 48.Therefore, the compartments of the bag have been pulled closer and keptclosed, or juxtaposed, by means of said clasps 1 r, 1 s.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a further explanatory embodiment of a bag 40comprising a clasp 1 designed like the one shown in FIG. 3.

In this embodiment, though, the structure of the bag 40 comprises afront flap or wall 51 and a rear flap or wall (not numbered), which endswith a wing 52, which can be folded over the front flap or wall 51 (FIG.6) or can be lifted from the latter (FIG. 7).

In this embodiment, the handle is fixed to the side walls of bag 40(details not numbered).

Clasp 1 is associated with the front flap or wall 51, so that plaque 12and rod 14 face the outside of bag 40 and plaque 32 and rod 34 face therear flap or wall carrying wing 52. More in detail, plaque 12 and rod 14are suited to engage a buttonhole 54 provided on wing 52, when thelatter is folded over front flap or wall 51. On the other hand, plaque34 and rod 34 are suited to engage a buttonhole (not numbered) arrangedon a portion of the flap or wall located in a proximal position relativeto wing 52.

This embodiment is compatible with the use of a “double face” orreversible bag. As a matter of fact, if the user turns bag 40 insideout, plaque 32 and rod 34 will be suited to be inserted, this time, intobuttonhole 54.

As a person skilled in the art can clearly understand, for the use of“double face” bags, the clasp shown in FIG. 3 can also be applied tobags without wing 52; for example even bags that have a central flap orwall that, when necessary, can be removed from the bag (in this case,the anchoring portion is fixed on a central flap or wall and thebuttonholes are provided on the other flaps or walls) or bags that onlyhave a front flap or wall and a rear flap or wall (in this case, one ofthe two flaps or walls carries the anchoring portion, whereas the otherflap or wall carries one single buttonhole, which is suited to becrossed from one side to the other by the clasp, depending on how thebag is turned).

FIG. 8 shows a further explanatory embodiment of a bag 40 comprising aclasp 1 designed according to FIGS. 1 and 2 a-c.

In this embodiment, bag 40 comprises a rear flap or wall 42, whichcarries a belt 58 having one or more buttonholes 60, which are suited beengaged by clasp 1. In particular, clasp 1 is fixed on a front flap orwall 50 of bag 40 and projects with rod 14 and plaque 12 towards theoutside of bag 40. Belt 58 conveniently is sewn on the outer or innersurface of the rear flap or wall 42. Optionally, belt 58 can go throughan opening 66 located in the front flap or wall, before being able to beengaged by clasp 1.

Naturally, the principle of the present invention being set forth,embodiments and implementation details can be widely changed relative towhat described above and shown in the drawings as a mere way ofnon-limiting example, without in this way going beyond the scope ofprotection provided by the accompanying claims.

1. A clasp for a container, comprising: an anchoring portion, for beingfixed to a flap or a wall of said container; a wide portion, forpreventing the clasp from moving apart from a buttonhole provided onanother flap or wall of said container; and an intermediate connectionportion, connected in a rotary manner, through a pair of hinges, to saidanchoring portion and to said wide portion, respectively; said wideportion and said anchoring portion are configured to rotate relative tosaid intermediate portion, so that said clasp is able to assume: acompact condition, in which said wide portion and said anchoring portionare close to one another and are juxtaposed on opposite sides relativeto said intermediate connection portion; an extended condition, in whichsaid wide portion is substantially aligned relative to said intermediateconnection portion, allowing said clasp to move through said buttonhole;a closing condition, in which said wide portion and said anchoringportion are arranged at a distance form one another, said wide portionbeing arranged in a direction that is substantially transverse to saidintermediate connection portion, preventing said clasp from moving outof said buttonhole.
 2. The clasp according to claim 1, wherein at leastone of said hinges is a flat hinge.
 3. The clasp according to claim 2,wherein said hinges are both flat hinges.
 4. The clasp according toclaim 3, wherein the hinging axes of said flat hinges are parallel toone another.
 5. The clasp according to claim 2, wherein said flat hingehas a cam profile that is designed to maintain a predetermined mutualangular position between said intermediate connection portion and atleast one between said anchoring portion and said wide portion.
 6. Theclasp according to claim 1, further comprising: a further wide portion,arranged on an opposite side relative to said wide portion and forpreventing the clasp from moving apart from a further buttonholeprovided on said container; a further intermediate connection portion,which is hinged, through a pair of further hinges, to said anchoringportion and to said further wide portion, respectively.
 7. The claspaccording to claim 1, wherein said further hinges are flat.